Transcranial Focused Ultrasound for Smell
(O-tFUS Trial)
What You Need to Know Before You Apply
What is the purpose of this trial?
This study investigates the causal effects of low-intensity transcranial focused ultrasound (tFUS) on odor valence perception and odor-elicited avoidance behaviors in healthy adults. Participants undergo sham and active tFUS targeting the amygdala (AMYG) and ventral striatal olfactory tubercle (VSOT) in a within-subject, randomized, sham-controlled crossover design. Outcomes include subjective odor ratings and objective neurophysiological and behavioral indices of odor valence processing. This research is exploratory and mechanistic in nature and is not intended to evaluate clinical safety or therapeutic efficacy.
Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?
This trial is for healthy adults aged 18-65 who have a normal sense of smell and can understand English well enough to complete study tasks. Participants must be able to give informed consent.Inclusion Criteria
Exclusion Criteria
What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?
Interventions
- transcranial focused ultrasound (tFUS)
Trial Overview
The study tests the effects of low-intensity transcranial focused ultrasound (tFUS) on how people perceive odors and react to them. Each participant receives both real and sham tFUS in random order, targeting specific brain areas related to smell.
How Is the Trial Designed?
3
Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Placebo Group
Active tFUS of the bilateral VSOT randomized at one of the three stimulation visits
Active tFUS of the bilateral Amygdala randomized at one of the three stimulation visits
Sham tFUS randomized at one of three stimulation visits
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
Medical University of South Carolina
Lead Sponsor
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD)
Collaborator
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
Collaborator
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